CALMING SIGNALS – signals of non-aggressive intent

Dogs offer and return these to other dogs – some dogs are not good communicators due to social deficits and genetics –

LOOK AWAYS – is a cut off signal

PAW RAISES

SNIFFING – usually comes in context with other behaviors

SNEEZING – also part of a sequence, ex: sneeze, shake off, sneeze, shake off

Dogs will sneeze when really excited and they are loving what you are doing – you are playing your dogs favorite game – sneeze, play bow, sneeze – when it is sneeze, sneeze, sneeze, dog is having a ball – loving what you are doing

SCRATCHING

BLINKING

SHAKING OFF – most common – dogs will do this with each other

MOVING IN AN ARC ON APPROACHES

SITTING OR LYING DOWN

Most common sequence: yawning, blinking, lip licking

DISTANCE INCREASING SIGNALS – used to gain social distance – you must intervene as soon as you see these

MARKING TERRITORY – that’s mine, she’s mine

HARD EYES

SHOWING TEETH – if dog shows molars is less of a threat (wider) – C Shape – I’m going to nail you – frontal agonistic pucker – from top of the dogs head the eyes slant down

EARS ALERT AND FORWARD

TENSE BODY OR FACE – different than little movement – usually intent on something

HEIGHTENED POSTURE – HEIGHT SEEKING – STATUS SEEKING dogs are seeking distance increase – we tend to blow this behavior off but it is serious

MUZZLE PUNCH – dog jumps up and goes right for the face and then down the arm – this is height seeking and status seeking

LOWERD HEAD AND NECK – this position is most seen in Resource Guarders – dogs will lower the head and neck – head and neck will be lower than the rest of the body